Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Comment
Louis Staples

Muting real-life friends on social media is harsh – but sometimes it’s the kindest thing to do

Hampstead Heath, London, 14 June 2021.
Hampstead Heath, London, 14 June 2021. Photograph: Wayne Tippetts/Rex/Shutterstock

I often think I must be quite annoying on social media. Looking through someone else’s eyes, I’d probably find some of my (masterful) tweets vapid or obnoxious. The selfies on my Instagram Stories? They’d give me the ick. And as for the constant pictures of my dog … actually, let’s not get too carried away.

Do my haters complain about me to their friends? I’d be surprised if anyone cares that much. But like most narcissistic paranoias I still think it’s a possibility, because this is exactly what I do with the (many) people I find annoying online.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.